What Should Be Included in a Florida IV Therapy Course for LPNs—and What Is Outside Their Scope?
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Florida play a critical role in patient care, and with proper education, they can expand their scope to include intravenous (IV) therapy. However, this practice comes with specific educational requirements and legal limitations outlined by the Florida Board of Nursing. If you're an LPN or an employer seeking clarity on these regulations, this guide breaks down exactly what an IV Therapy course must include—and what lies outside an LPN’s scope.
🩺 What Must Be Included in an IV Therapy Course for LPNs?
According to Florida Administrative Code 64B9-12.005, IV certification for LPNs requires at least 30 hours of post-graduation instruction. This course must be comprehensive and include both didactic learning and supervised clinical practice.
Here are the essential components of the didactic portion:
- Legal Foundations: Overview of the Nurse Practice Act, LPN responsibilities, institutional policies, and charting principles.
- Patient Support: Techniques for psychological preparation of patients and family members.
- Veinpuncture Skills: Anatomy of peripheral veins, vein selection, equipment usage, and troubleshooting.
- Homeostasis & Electrolyte Balance: Understanding how IV therapy impacts the body's regulatory functions.
- Complications & Safety: Identifying and responding to local/systemic IV complications.
- Drug & Fluid Administration: Calculating flow rates, compatibility concerns, and IV medication methods.
- Special Therapies: Managing patients on blood transfusions, parenteral nutrition, and chemotherapy (within scope).
- Infection Control: Aseptic techniques and infection prevention.
- Central Lines & PICCs: With an additional 4 hours of focused training, LPNs can perform IV therapy via central and PICC lines under RN supervision.
🧪 Clinical Competency: Completing the Skills Check-Offs
After the didactic portion, nurses must demonstrate their clinical competence through supervised practice. This is done using skills check-off lists, which are provided at the end of Pedagogy’s IV certification course.
These check-off lists should be printed and completed with a qualified preceptor, such as an RN with an active license, typically at the nurse’s place of employment.
Note: Some state Boards of Nursing may have specific guidelines on who qualifies as a preceptor, so always check your state’s requirements.
Completed check-off lists should be kept on file along with your course certificates of completion in case of audit.
⛔ What’s Outside the Scope of Practice for IV-Certified LPNs in Florida?
Even with certification, LPNs have restrictions under 64B9-12.003. They may not independently perform the following IV-related tasks:
- Initiating blood and blood products
- Administering or initiating cancer chemotherapy
- Initiating plasma expanders
- Administering investigational drugs
However, LPNs may care for patients receiving these treatments—under the supervision of an RN or authorized healthcare provider.
📚 Why Choose the Pedagogy Florida IV Therapy Education Course?
If you're looking for a Florida Board of Nursing-approved IV Therapy course that meets all the regulatory requirements and fits your busy schedule, Pedagogy’s 30-Hour Florida IV Therapy Education Course is your go-to option.
Here’s why nurses love it:
- ✅ Meets All Florida Board Requirements: Fully compliant with Rule 64B9-12.005.
- 🕒 30 Hours of Self-Paced Online Learning: Learn when and where it works best for you.
- 👩🏫 Expert-Led Content: Courses designed by experienced nurses.
- 🧾 Print-and-Go Skills Check-Offs: Easy-to-complete with your on-site preceptor.
- 📄 Certificate of Completion Provided: Proof of compliance for your personnel file or state audit.
Take the next step in advancing your nursing career.
Enroll today in our Florida IV Therapy Education Course and gain the confidence, knowledge, and credential you need to safely and legally perform IV therapy as an LPN in Florida!
